Eye in the Sky
Eye in the Sky

Eye in the Sky

2015Movie102 minEnglish

A UK-based military officer in command of a top secret drone operation to capture terrorists in Kenya discovers the targets are planning a suicide bombing and the mission escalates from “capture” to “kill.” As American pilot Steve Watts is about to engage, a nine-year old girl enters the kill zone, triggering an international dispute reaching the highest levels of US and British government over the moral, political, and personal implications of modern warfare.

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Insights

IMDb6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes95%
Metacritic77/100
Google Users82%
Director: Gavin HoodGenres: Thriller, Drama, War

Plot Summary

A gripping thriller that follows Colonel Katherine Powell, a British military officer in command of a top-secret drone operation targeting a group of terrorists in Nairobi, Kenya. When a young girl enters the kill zone, Powell faces a complex moral and political dilemma as she must navigate the escalating stakes, international law, and the pressure from her superiors to make a life-altering decision. The film masterfully depicts the intense pressure and ethical quandaries of modern warfare.

Critical Reception

Eye in the Sky was met with widespread critical acclaim, particularly for its tense direction, strong performances from its ensemble cast, and its nuanced exploration of the ethical complexities of drone warfare. Critics praised the film for its suspenseful narrative and its ability to provoke thought without offering easy answers.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film excels in its suspenseful and thought-provoking portrayal of the moral dilemmas surrounding drone warfare.
  • Strong performances, especially from Helen Mirren and the late Alan Rickman, anchor the intense and ethically complex narrative.
  • Praised for its realistic depiction of the political and military decision-making processes in modern conflict.

Google audience: Audiences generally lauded the film for its intelligent script, gripping tension, and timely exploration of controversial themes in warfare. Many appreciated the performances and the realistic, high-stakes scenario presented.

Fun Fact

The film was shot entirely in South Africa, doubling for Kenya, and utilized actual military advisors to ensure authenticity in its depiction of drone operations.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
Jack

Jack

I was looking for a film to watch. Being a big Helen Mirren fan, I decided to give this one a go. What a great choice it was! The fact that the entire film is in real time, meaning we watch the event as they unfold in real time, makes it...
DanDare

DanDare

Eye in the Sky wants to explore the question of drone warfare. An operation to capture a terrorist cell in Kenya. Helen Mirren plays Colonel who is rather gung ho and wants to take out the bad guys before they do more harm. Aaron Paul...
Reno

Reno

> The modern warfare, and its advantages as well as drawbacks. A new kind of war. When everyone is worried about robots might take over our jobs, it meant military as well. There was not robots in this, but a war fought from a safe dista...